Electrical fire-alarm apparatus.



PATENTED MAY 15, 1906.

J P. ROBERTSON. ELECTRIGAL FIRE ALARM APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17. 1903 B'SHEBTS-SHEET l.

' l fizz/671 602".-

WERM} PATENTED MAY 15, 1906.

'J. P. ROBERTSON. ELECTRICAL FIRE ALARM APPARATUS. A

APPLIGATION FILED JULYl'I. 1903.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

FIG.

I Int 6 17760" 7245 v Witnesses PATENTED MAY 15, 1906. J. P. ROBERTSON. A ELECTRICAL FIRE ALARM APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17, 1908,

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

FIG. 3

Iwrewibr A ywwm No. 820,823. v 'PATR TRR'MAY '15, 190R.

J. P; ROBERTSON. BLRRTRIRAL FIRE ALARM APPARATUS.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 17. 10M

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

No.. 820,828. I PATENTED MAY 15,1906

JfP. ROBERTSON.

68' FIG. 12 7o minesscifi P Ian 57711777 I a n/28M M f I 2m {@flWQfi KM UNITED s'rn'rns PATENT OFFICE.

JAMES PERCIVAL ROBERTSQN, OF NORTH SYDNEY, NEAR SYDNEY, NEW

SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA.

ELEbTmcAL FIRE-ALARM APPARATUS.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, JAMES PERoIvAL RonnnrsoN, electrician, a subject of the King of Great Britain and Ireland, residing in the city of North Sydney, near Sydney, in the State of New South Wales, Australia, have invented new and useful Improvements in Eleotrical Fire-Alarm Apparatus, of which the following is a specification. 1

My invention relates generally to automatic alarm systems and apparatus, and more particularly to automatic fire-alarm systems and apparatus, and my invention has particular reference to alarmapparatus adapted to be worked in connection withja distant central alarm system or a central-exchange telephone system and embodies certain improvements over the alarm system illustrated and described in my Patent No. 787,344,dated April 11, 1905.

In the following specification I particu .larly describemy invention as embodied in an automatic fire-alarm system employed in connection W1th a central-exchange telephone system, the, apparatus of the system being set in operation primarily by suitable thermostats; but it will be understood that any other primary actuating device, such as are or may be commonly used in alarm systems, maybe employed in place of the thermostat herein described In the s stem herein d1- scribed I locate at suitab e pointssignaltransmitting means connected to the wires of a central alarm system or central-exchange 3 telephone system. Such signal-transmitting means com rises means for sending through the wires 0 such system a telephone-message or other, characteristic si nal, which may serve to-differentiatethe alarm from the sig signal-transm ttmg me'ans also comprises nals ordinarily sent over these circuits. The

means for operating at the central station a suitable signalin dev1ce,'s uch as a drop-shutter or signali'ngamp, which Wlll attract the attention of the operator located there, this "being what is commonly known in telephone and ke systems as r1nging," which Word,

, wherever used herein does not necessarily imply the o eration of a call-bell or the like, but merely t e operation of any signaling device suchas may serve to attract attention of the central operator. The alarm-transmitting mechanism preferably employed 'is a telephonog] ic device, comprising what is in specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 17, 1903. Serial lilo. 166,045.

Patented-May 15, 1906,

substance the Well-known graphophone ar-- telephonographic signal-transmittin device is normal isolated from the telep one or other distant-alarm line; but the electric controlling mechanism is arranged when released to cause a calling-signal to be sent over the line and then to connect such signal-trans mittin device to the line. Provision is made or cutting the telephonographic sig haling device out; of the line-circuit after the alarm has been transmitted, so as to reinstate the telephone or other line circuit in its normal condition.

The si nal-transmitting apparatus herein describe differs from that of mysaid Patent described provision is made for the auto- 'matic repetition of the telephonic message a suitable number of times by the return of the graphophone-reproducer to its starting-point one or more times, such re etitions oi the message being preceded by t e transmission f a calling-signal. The apparatus herein described further differs from the apparatus -No..787,344 in that in the apparatus herein 7 ol my said former application in many improvenn-nts in construction, arran ement, and o 0 n1 1 ion of the ap arat'us, as wil hereinalter )0 more fully set orth, and pointed out in the claims. These improvements refer to the arrangement of the c1rcuits; to the starting and controlling mechanism to the graph ophone; to the automatic cut-out and clrcult- 0 too anging devices also to the provision of apparatus for indicating automatically any failure in the thermostat pipe system or thermostat-heads.

The annexed drawings are for the most part in a diagrammatic form, in some cases,

however, an elementary construction of parts being indicated for betterexplanation. Figure 1 is explanatory generally of the ar- 'vices and 'the reproducer-resetting deyices.

main line and releasil'ig 'the'igrap'l'i'ophonel brake. It also indicates the stop mechanism. i F ig. 3isexplanatoryof certainportions oil; the leak-detector apparatus and also .oftl; l cmmection between the electric"motor-star} l ing mechanism andthecircuit-changingjde Figs. 4 and 5 are expranatory ofthe graphorespectively, showing an'alternatiye form of -transrnitted electrically to the line.

' having field-magnets and a rotary. armature,

' inatteri phone and controlling and goy'erjning mechanisr'n' thereon. Figs. fi and T1 are'resp'ed tively'part elevation and sectionalyiewof the local-alarm device Figs, 8 and 9, side ,elev'ation, partly in secltiornfajnd top plan; re spectively, of thermostat -hea'd, including leak-detector I and indicating In'echanism; Figs." 10, 11,, and 12, ele*/"ation and sections,

thermostat head. r

In the drawings I show what is in substance. a graphop'hfone arranged to 'bedriven by a suitable s'pring-Inotorand having its reproducer 24 connected to a suitable telephones transmitter 25 in such manner that sounds produced by the reproducer ar' e.,-transrnitted to said telephone-transmitter and thence are In the diagram Fig. 1 do not show the; record-cylinder and the operating mechanism ofthe raphophone, but only thereprodu'cer 24, the transmitter 25, With the parts; associatedtherewith, and certain other parts of the graphophone mechanisrr hereinafter referred to] Thisfgraphophone arranged to be set in operation y electric controlling device comprising anel'ectric motor 13,

which armature when actuated, rotatesv through aportion of a revolution only and by such rotation moves a switch arm 14 into contact with a contact-button 80, whereby.

the circuit of the telephonographic signaling device is connected to the main line A. p The said armature in its rotation alsorotates a cam 15, whereby'a detent 18 is lifted out of engagement with a stop-disk 2'0 onthegovernorshaft of the graphophone, thus permitting the graphophone to commence its operation. This actuating-motor 13 [is controlled electrically by the thermostats orother primary actuat ngilevicesl aswifll be described here.

Referringjno morepartieularly to Fig. 1., J is mi mum fireulnrin orltolephone line; B, tno 0.\'('li2l1), ,{(;i the exchange earth; D, line. mum-ct ing main line to (foflthiil-lJLtttOHSQ;

1?), wire mmm viunijroin?the ar1nature-spinv dhol' the mom l3 ioa coinluetor F, lea-(ling from it to a contact-spring 2'1, whichspring is o )(K'utvd by suitable means here1nafter fle+ ternatel y with contact-springs 22 and 23 and thereby to connect a ringing-battery and the telephon-ographic transmitter 25 alternately to conductor F ,and so to the main line A.

As shown in Fig. 1, which is the set position, the spring21' is closed against the con tact 22, completing the connection to the con- ;ductor G. This conductor G is connected to the terminal ofthe microphone 25, whose (other terminal is connected by the conductor G,-through thebinding-post 2, to two cells of the battery R, and thence to the alarm earth Z. vWhen the contact-arm 14 is in the closed,

position on the button 80, as indicated. in Fig. 1, thecir'cuit is completedthrough O, B, A,

earthfZi When the contact 21 is depressed to *openZ'the-circuit between F and ,G', it is closed against the contact. 23', whereby the circuit isclosed from F to H, thence through the binding-posts, through the full length of the battery R,and thencetothe alarm earth Z. then the full battery R is thus placed in circuit, it operates a, suitable at the central stationiB. V I 5 In connection with the telephonogra hic signal-transmitting device I employ a oeal alarm and indicator. comprising an alarmbell-10 andlamps 1 1 and ab cto h; The circuit I J of the bell 10 is closedby a brush 191naking contact. with detent 18' simultaneously with the throwing over of the switch-arm 1'4 -to the position shown in Fig, 1, and the circuit of lamp 11 and of one of the lamps ate it is closed by the operation of the thermostat, which causes the operation of the motor 13.

which hub deten't 18 is also connected. A

22, G, G, battery R, and

signaling device P Ico spring 47, Fig. 5, is provided on the hub 17,

which, spring tends to, press the follower 16 against the cam 15. When by the operation 0 to the position shown in Fig. 1, the'follower 'thernotor 13 switch-arm i i'is thrown )ver $6 drops into the notch of cam 15, and therey causes the detent 18 to release the disk 20, so permittingv the graphophone to eommence to operate and at the same time bringing together contact-detent 18 and contact-s ring 19, th .reby closing thel circuit '1 J ,o thetery S, themagnet of eli e-1.0, .conductori binding-post 7, spring 18,and arm '18.

loca1-.alarmbell,10.- This circuit'I J may be traced as follows: from the hub 17 through, conductor I and bindiIli-PQSt 9, through bat IZO- The graphophone indicated'in the drawingsls one. of common formadaptedfor the and fitted with. accessory parts. The rapindncer 24 and its mounting and'the record 41 I scribed and arranged tomalie contact althe record, as maybe necessary.

special purposes required of this apparatus '40, Figs. 4 and 5, the governor-gear.

sleeve 17, Figs. 1, 4, and 5, carrying the arms l 16 and 13, and the spring 47, before referred ,to, are mounted on one of the pillars of the ,frame, so that the sleeve will be capable of slight movement. around the same to allow of the lifting of the hooked oint of the lever 18 '27, Figi 5, isthe motor-spring casing ipd e from the notch in the dis r 20 and the closing of theconnectionbetween 18 and 19, as be fore described. The saddle 38, running on the hollow slotted bar 82, en ports the reproducer. .On the rear part 0 the bar 82 a returning-spring 39is mounted. The finger lever 36 for lifting and lowering down the reproducer is controlled by a rocking bar 35,

which is operated by a lever end 34, fulcrumed at 45 and controlled by a notch in the cam-disk 29, which is set on the driving spindle of the motor mechanism of the graphophone. Once in each revolution of this cam 29 .the tail of the lever 34 trips by drop ing into the notch. It is caused to trip 3 the downward: pull of the spring 46, and in this downward movement it depresses the finger-lever 36, thereby raising the reproducer 24 'quickly off the record, freeing the saddle 38 from the traversing screw and al lowing the spring 39 to return the reproducer back to the starting position, where it is shown'in Fig. 5. Having effected this movement, the cam continuing to rotate presses out the end of the lever 34 again, thereby gently lowering the reproducer onto the rec-- ord and-bringing the nut on the under part of the saddle 38 into engagement with thefeedscrew, which then again traverses the repro duceralong therecord, effecting repetition of the message. .The employment of reproducer-returning mechanism reduces the size of the record-phonogram, allowing the call apparatus to be of small and compact size,

while still adapted for long-call service.

Ontheside of the cam29 is a tappet 30, which operates against the spurs 32 (twelve in number) of the controlling-wheel, turning speaking-circuit therethrough.

this wheel ahead one tooth for each complete revolution of the cam 29. The spur-wheel 32 is provided with side spurs 33, adapted to depress the end of the spring contact-plate 22 when moving ast it.

As the whee 32, with its spurs 33, is at rest except during the moment when it is being turned by the action of the tappet 30, it is easy to regulate the proportion and relation of the spurs 33 to the spring contact-plate 21, so that the said plate 21 will be depressed into contact with 23 bythese spurs 33 for just surficient time tosend a ri through the line. Normally during the pass: ing of a call the spring-plate 21 is m contact with the contact-plate 22 com leting the uring the time that the tappets 33 are acting on the spring-plate 21 the contact with 22 is broken ingcurrent and a contact made momentarily at 23, the

speaking-circuit being thereby interrupted contact with the spring 22, thereby reclosing the speaking-circult and cutting out the ringing-battery. p

A pin-43 is set in the arbor 31 of the wheel 32, and astop 4.4 isset in the casingto intercept the pin 43 and to prevent the wheel 32 making more than one complete revolution. The parts are soadjusted that when the machine is set ready to give an alarm one of the tappets 33 is acting on the spring-plate 21, closing the connection with the spring-plate 23, and thereby putting the rin lug-battery in circuit with the line. Imme iately upon the; rotation of the parts commencing the 'iinging up of the telephone exchange or firestation is followed by the cutting 111 of the speakm -circuits through the contact 22. When t e next s ur 33 comes into contactwith the spring-p ate 21, the same 1s a ain depressed so as to cut out the speakingattery and cut in the ringing-battery just for sufficient time to rering the exchange or station. Then the speaking-circuit is completed again, andthe graphophone-reproducer again traversesthe record. In this way the apparatus automatically rings up the exchange or alarm-station three times, repeating its message between each ringing call, and finally coming to rest with one of the spurs 33 in such a position as to hold the spring-plate 21 midway between the contacts 22 and 23, thus opening both ringing and speaking distantcall circuits until the mechanism is reset and leaving the line A free-for use by any other alarm apparatus or for ordinary telephonic purposes. brigade station may bemade to serve an unlimited number of myalarms. The tripping device 34 is provided so that a short length of record-cylinder may be used, the reproducer being returned and retraversed over it each time the cam 29'n1akes one complete revolution. The sha eof the gap in the cam 29 is such that the ever 34 will be tripped suddenly, so as to leave the reproducer quickly; but the other side of the gap is formed so that 34 will be lifted out again gradually, so as to lower the reproducer gentlyonto the record.

The rocking bar 35 is supported by the lever end 34 and in the frame of the graphophone, as shown at 37. I do not attach any essential importance to the structure of parts shown for returning the reproducer each time it has traversed the record, so as to reset it'to go over the record again. Other mechanism may be readily, devised for the pur ose of lifting the reproducer aiterit has reac ed the end of the record and bringing itback again to the point of connnencement in order that Thus one main line A to ,a fireto permit the rotation of the record 41 at the necessary'speed to obtain perfect articulation.

The neck 88 of the reproduoer 24 supports' the microphone 25, to which the lines G and i0 G are connected, as previously described with reference to Fig 1. In order to obtain the necessary flexibility, the connection is obtained through an india-rubber-ball carrier 87. The ordinary carbon-powder microphone may be used when it is mounted as shown in Fig. 3, because onaccount of the movement to which it is therh subjected there is no danger of the carbon packing. When, however, the microphone is set up immovable in the case and connected to the neck.88 by a rubber tube, it is highly desirable that'it be loaded with carbon shot and not with powder in order to obtain uniformly good articulation from the gr. phophonerecord; When the line A is of considerable length or of high resistance, the one induction-coil is combined with the microphone, as in telephone practice.

The cam 15, mounted on the spindle 89 of the motor 13, is of the form indicated. N ormally when set in the position shown in Fig. 2 the deep part of the cam presses the arm 16 outwardly, thereby depressing the arm 18, nipping its hooked end in the notch of the disk 20, forming part of the governor mech anism of the graphophone. In resetting the apparatus after it has given an alarm the arm 14 needs to be replaced to the position shown in Fig. 2 and the hooked end of the arm 1'8 set in the notch in the governor disk 20. In the position of the motor shown in Fig. 2 the alarm-bell circuit and the circuits by the lines F, G, and H are open. When the motor-circuit is closed by'the bucklin of the thermostat-head, as hereinafter described, the armature makes a portion of a rotation, carrying the arm 14 from its position of rest against the stop 79 across onto the conta t-button 80, further movement being prevented by the stop 81. When it takes up this position, it closes through the contact-- button 80 the circuit to the telephone or distant-call line A by connecting the lines-I) and F and at the same time rotating the cam 15 until the top end of the arm 16 drops into the gap, allows that arm tosprin'g forwa d under PIGSSIIG of the spring 17, thereby lilting the arm 18 out of the notch in the disk 20, thus freeing said disk to revolve under the action of the springinotor 2'7 and at the same time closing the local-alarm-bell circuit by making contact with the plate 19, which is mounted in the casin of the ap aratus.

As the o y office o the'rotary motor 13 is. to throw over the contact-arm 14 when its is turned back by the action of the tappet 3,0

on the spurs 32) until the stop-pin 43 rests against the left side of the fixed stop-pin 44 in the casing.

Referring now to Figs. .6 and 7, showing the local alarm and indicator, it will be seen that this part of the apparatus consists of a casin 12, in the back part of which the gong 73 of ocal-alarm bell '10 is mounted. In the middle portion of the casing internally the electromagnetic striking-gear of bell 10 is setup, while around it is mounted a series of dark tubes, in each or" which an ordinary incandescent lamp or lamp with metallic filament is set up. The gong 73 maybe struck ha a flying hammer worked'by a rotary m0: tor or by a trembler-hammer, in either case the circuits being arranged as described,

The several lamps in the local indicator are numbered a to h, respectively, to correspond with the thermostats similarly marked, of which there are eight. The master-lamp 11 is in series with each one of the other lamps 77 in the indicator respectively, as shown in the wiring arrangement in F ig. 1, so that upon the lamp-circuit being c'losed two lamps are lighted up, one the master-lamp 11 and the other one of the lamps a to h, corre-, spending with the thermostat from which the alarm comes. In the case is a sheet of fl lby glass 75 and on he face of the case a plain glass plate 74, secured by a ring 76. Between I the two glasses is set a tube in front of each of the lamps. This construction of lamp-indicator provides an efiective lighting for daylight, as well as night inspection {This alarm and indicator may .be conveniently placed outside a building. Similarly the" thermostats and the distant-call apparatus may be set outside the building'or close by windows in the same. The wiring in that case will be either wholly external to the I" I i Y building or almost s thereby limiting risk fol failure by crossing o r breaking of circuits;

Referring now to Figs. 8 and 9, showing the thermostat, 50 is a metallic vessel pro-I Vided with a gage-glass-S], adapted to show 1 the 16 vol of liquii. contain d in the vessel 50. 52 is the bottom of the vessel 50. it is formed of a buckled plate, which is nornmlly buckled inward, as shown, and adapted when sprung outward by internal pressure in the vessel 50 to make contact with the two spring-plates 53 and 54, connected, resp c- 133 .1. sides'of the vessel 50. "This arbor carries also i a contact-bar 60, which is acted upon by a tively, to the lines Kiand P. These springplates maybe mounted on the vessel50 or on the casing, but must be insulated from the vessel 50. ;T he line 0 is connected, as shown, directly to the metal work of the vessel 50. A valve connection 55 is provided for the purpose of attaching a pump or reservoir to fill in the expansive fluid used and bring up the pressure within the vessel to'the necessary point or to relieve it, if in excess. The line N .is connected to a--contact-piece 61, mounted on the vessel 50, through an insu+ lating-piece 90. 58 is an indicator-hand mounted on an arbor which is carried by bearing-pieces 91, pinned or brazed to the lug 62, secured to the flexible head 57 0f the vessel 50. .When the head 57 -is depressed, due to reduction of pressure in the vessel .50,

- the lug 62 is retired and the contact-lever bar 60 thereby allowed to drop until it makes contact .withthe plate 61, thus'closing the circuit between the lines N and O. The plate 57 is formed of thin metal corrugated in rings like the head of. an aneroidbarometer, so as to be very sensitive to variationof pres- .sure in the vessel 50. It isnormally distended by the internal pressure, as shown in Fig-,8, so as to hold up the contact-lever bar 60 and keep open the circuit between N and i 0. When, however, the pressure in the vessel falls below thepredetermined point'at which the apparatus will work effectively, contact is made between and 61, the circuit thereby closed between N and 0, thereby operating a leak-indicating device, hereinafter referred to and which may be conveniently located in a managers office or other central point. Any failurein the pipe system connected to a thermostatipe neeessarily shows itself in a reduction 0 ressure. in the corresponding thermostat-hea 50, and when this reduction becomes abnormal the alarm is operated as described and informa tionconveyed to the managers oflice or other central point, so that the fact will become known without delay.

The gage-glass 51 rovides another visual means of inspection, or if liquid be run into i the vessel 50 up to a marked point, said vessel being placed above the level of the pipes connected to it, any leakage from the pipes will show by a lowering of the liquid-level in the gage-glass. When, therefore, the leak-' alarm is iven in the mana ers office the exact. pipe-circuit in which the leak has occurred can be detected byan inspection of the gage-glasses of the thermostats. There is a further check on the ga'ge;glass by means of the indicator-hand 58 moving over the marked quadrant 59. This indicator-hand, '58 moves 1n sympathy with the contact-.mak-

.ing bar 60, by which the circuit between N and 0 is closed, and affords a means of reading oil" the pressure under which the liquid is contained in the pipe system connected to the thermostat upon which it is fitted. 56 is theen'dof the thermostat-pipe system,connected to the lower end of the vessel 50. This thermostat-pipe system will be described plate to obtain maximum sensitiveness,

whereas in,the former case there is only a front endexpanding plate, the back plate being a fixture. The pipe 56 is preferably led into the center'of the back head, as shown in Fig. 12; but where the construction is as shown in Fig. 11 it may be carried into the side ofthe drum. The drum-head, whether it is made in the form shown in Fig. 11 or in that shown in Fig. 12, is made like the expanding plate of an aneroid barometer-that is, with circular corrugations-and it is normally buckled inward, so that uritil-an excessive pressure corresponding with the predetermined degree of heat to start the alarm occurs within the drum and pipe system connected thereto there-will be-no contact between the drum itself and the circuits K and P. When such an undue pressure arises, the

front end plate buckling outward closes the connection with'K and P, thereby opening all the necessary circuits to throw ,the local alarms and distant call into action.

,l The thermostats shown in Figs. 10,- 11, and 12 are covered in an application for Letters Patent, filed October 7, 1903, Serial No. 176,052. The leak indicatin apparatus above referred to and employe for Indicating leaks in 'the thermostats is as follows: In a managers office-or at some other contor-window 85, Fig. 2. Behind this window there is a card carrying the words Pipe intact or other suitable words or signal to indicate that the line is tight, and between the window and the said card there is a shutter 86, mounted upon an arm 71, which is pivotally mounted andis controlled, by a mag net 26, Figs. v1 and 3, through the agency of a detent-pin 72, carried by the armature of said magnet and normally engaging a notch in lever 71. As shown in Fig. 1, the wire N, to which the contact-piece 61, Fig. 6, of each thermostat is connected, leads to binding post 8 and thence to magnet 26, and the other. side of said magnet is connected by wire M, passing through binding-post 4 to .venient point I preferably provide an indicabattery U and thence to the common'retiirn line 0, to which all of the thermostats are connected.

' velops in any thermostat, so that contact is I calling up thefire-station and sending a definit-e spoken message partieularizing the ad' closed between the contacts and 61 thereof, a circuit is bompleted from battery .U' throughwires Mend N and magnet 26, tlius causing the shutter'86'to drop by gravity and by its presence at the window to indicate the leak. The portion of the shutter which is visible through the window when the shutter drops. may carry the words Pipe broken or other words orsymb'ol suitable to indicate that the thermostat is not in working order.

The apparatus is effective not only for dress at which a fire has broken'out evenbe fore the fact is known-to persons n the immediate locality, but it 1s also effective for informing the brigade onarriva'l of the locaof the-outbreak in the buildexchange. .A certain simplification. in the apparatus would thus be obtained, but at the eXp'ense of delay in the reading off of the sig-v nal at the fire-station, as it would be iiecessary for the exchange attendant to inform the fire-station per telephone of the telephone-number from which the call was re. ceived, so asto enable the fire-station at tendant to discover the location of fire by referring to a telephone-index. lVhcn the graphophone apparatus is used through an exchange, the exchange attendant ,mcrely connects the ringing-line through the one change to the fire-station just as fornn ordinary subscribers call and the apparatus does the rest, reringing the station and repea/ting its spoken message until it is checked y a stop. This message contains such par.-

tieullars as" are necessary to refer the iire bri ade to the building or place from which tiie a arm has been sent out. For instance, it wbuld contain such a formula as Fire at. No. King street.

It is necessary to provide especially-made record for each prenfises in whichthe apparatus is fitted. There is no particular fea-.

1 ture in these records to distin 'uish them from "ordinary graphophone-recor s, the mode of It will be seen that if a leak dethe cal. V

produetion-ofwhichis well known to qualifled persons. i

the record has a double message cut or g'raven in it-thus 2-1.1 fire-station, fire 100 King streetP-the first being the fire-call and the second'the information required at fire-sta tio'n. The firs part of the message indicates to the exchange attendant that the lire-station is wanted, and he would make the line connection at once, ringing up first in the usual way. Then the fire-station attendant requires from the second portion ofthe message directly.

it will be evident that the signaling apparatus may be made to continue speaking Qit s message over any predetermined period peat themessageas many as'twelve times, or

ditions are comp ied with" sufficiently bv to rin up three times during t hejpei iodiof I The thermos used.

copper,) or itv may contain-a volatile" liquid, such as ammonia or alcohol. is used, the tube should be so-dispo'sed that air-cushion behind it'in the rum-terminal. Aneat adjustment of lpressure can be obtained by pinching the c osed end of the tube,

all practical. purposes a sufiiciently neat 911- justment is effected by pumping'up or re lieving the pressure through the Dy-pass 55 in the drunrterininal. When alcohol, am-

m'l'mia, .or similar volatile liquid is the'expam sive medium used, adjustment is'obtained by the mixture of water and volatile li uid, so that. a required rise. of pr essure shall correspond with the tem )era'ture at which the thern'iostat-head will blow and close the contacts.

The actioi'r of the apparatus isprecisely mostats associated with it is affected, except that of course. the local indicator shows by the corresponding lamp which floor or section of the building sends the call. Fig. 1 shows an a'rrangcmentefor eight floors or seetion's, there being ni'nc'signal-lamps in all, in cluding the head-lamp.

For the purpose of illustration it it be as- When the telephone service is being 1 sedp tat-tube'is of'sniall diam ter and made of i any flexible"composition ot metal not acted on -by' 'the expansiveffluid It is closed at'orreend and terminates at its open end in adrunr-like v'essel,herein- 1 before more fully described. The tube may" contain only air under 'slight' pressurefplin which-case it should preferably be made of 1 f adding water and varying the-proportion of the same irrcspectively of which of the ther- .ansirerin would receive'the information he withinreasonable limits or to ring up and re 8s. I have found. in ractioe that working conf making the 'total period of' the call I four minutes and arranging the mechanism w When aliquir'l' the liquid will remain in the pi e and have ail so as to diminish the tubes capacit but for i ceases sumed that the pressure in thermostat a increases by reason of rise of temperature in the locality of its pipe system 56 suflicient to buckleout its head 52, so as to complete the circuit with contacts 53 and 54, circuits will be closed between the common return and the lines P and K. The circuit P through I thebattery Tlights up the lamps'll and a, in

'(shown in Fig. 2) until it ma es contact With the local alarm. The battery t, acting through the circuits K O L, excites the motor '13, re

tating its armature so as to carry round the contact-arm 14 from the position of rest thestud or button 80," wherebythe main line A is connected up through D, the controller 20 of'the grapho hone-motor set free, and

the graphophone tself and the tappets operating on the spring-plate 21 there y brought into action.

The-first action of the tappets 33 is to bring over the spring-contact 21 into contact Withtheplate 23, thereby'connecting thereupon the ringing attery R through the lines H,

and E to the main line A,thus ringingup the callin the exchange. A sufficient time forringing up having elapsed,the tappet 33 allows the spring-plate .21 to snap past it,

making contact with the springplate 22 and closing the s eaking-circuit of the microphone through t e lines D E F G G and two cells of the battery the main line A. When the reproducer reaches the end ofthe record, the lever 34 drops into the notch of the cam 29, raising the reproducer 24 and permitting the same to bereturned to starting position by its s ring. The cam 29 then lowers the reproucer upon the record, and the reproducer then again travels over the record, again repeating the message. As'the cam 29 rev0 ves itstooth 30 engages one of the teeth 32'; but thereibeing fewer teeth 33 thanteeth 32 the ringing circuit is not completed every time the reproducer is returned to startingpoint, but only;during every third return in the particular -construc'tion shown However, the mechanism runs a suflicient length of time so'that theringing-signal is transmitted several times.

The mechanism finally comes to rest when the 'stoppxin 43, comes into contact with the ereby preventing further rotation oft e graphophone a paratus and parts connested therewith an opens all the circuits Wa between the contacts 22 and 23.

except the local alarm-bell and indicatorlamps by'holding the spring-plate 21 midere it is necessaryonly to send an intermittent current and not a spoken messa e, the traversing, and returning mechanism For the reproducer are not required. In this case the record is out accordin to a dot-and-dash system on the ed e of a isk set in place of of the record 41, (s the automatic cut-out 21 22 23 is sti 1 used,

R through 'movab le contact-pieee own in the drawin s butitself may in this case be dispensed with, and

in place-pf it a simplecurrent-interrupter worked by the movement of a bar runm'n on the serrated edge of the rotating recordisk may be used to send a current into the telephonedine directly and not through the medium of 'a microphone, which is needed only for the reproduction of articulate speech.

To reset the a paratus after'an alarm has been transmitte it isnecessary to rewind the graphophone-motor, to put back the contact-switch l4 and replace the check-arm 18 in the notch-inthe governor-disk 20, at same timeopening its contact with 19,and to replace the blown contact-head of the thermostat and make good damage by fire (if any) to the pipe system or wiring.

What I claimas my invention, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, isi 1 In automatic alarm apparatus, the combination with alarm signal transmitting -means-for transmitting analarmthrough a hue-circuit, GOIIIPIISIIIg automatlc driving means, of a detent normally preventing ope ation of'said .transmitting means, an automaticall -0 stated switch normally disconnecting said signal-transmittingmeans from. the line, means for releasing-said detentan'd operating said switch, ringing-circuit and signaling-circuit contact-pieces and a movable contact-piece coacting therewith and electrically 0011110. cted to said switch, and means operated by :aid signal-transmitting means for moving sad movable contact-piece alternately into co 'itact with said ringing-circuit and signaling-circuitcontact-pieces during the operation of the signal transmitting mechanism.

- 2. In automatic alarm apparatus, the combination with alarm signal transmitting means for transmitting an alarm through a line-circuit, comprising a spring-motor for driving thesame, ofa detent normally preventing operation of said transmitting means, an automatically-operated switch normally disconnecting said signal-transmitting means from theline, means for releasing said detent and operating said'switch, ringing-circuit and signaling-circuit contact-pieces and a movable contact-piece reacting therewith and electrically connected witlfsaid switch, a gear-wheel having (teeth which engage the t' 6 rec it to make contact with said other co ct p'ieces alternately, anda tappet operatedbyasliaft of said motor and arranged to engage said gearwheel and advance the same,i'nterinittcntly.

3. In automatic alarniapparatus, the combination with tel'ephoiiographie signal-transmitting mechanism for tra nsmitti ng an alarm through a line-circuit, comprising automatic driving means, arccord, :i 'tcleplionographic transmitter, and means for feeding the repromature tor closing saidswitch an releasing saiddetent.

bination with alarm ducer thereofalong said record, of a detent I means, of a detent normally preventing opernormally preventing operation of said transmitting means, an automatic'ally-operated switch normally disconnecting said transmitter from/the line, means for releasing said detent and operating said switch, talking-circuit and rii'igi'ng-ci'rc uit contacts and a movable contact-piece coactingtherewith and interposed between Saidsivitch and said transmitter, "means for 'retur'ningjthe reproducer to- 1ts starting point, and means autormitically operated for releasing the reproducer from its feeding means at predetermined points and-permitting the return thereof, and for moving said movable contact-piecealternately'into-circuit with said talking-circuit and ringing-circuit contact-pieces.

4. In automatic alarm apparatus, the combination with 'telephonographic ,signahtransmitting mechanism for transmittingan alarm through a'line-circuit, comprising automatic driving means, a record, a telephonographic transmitter, and means for feeding the reproducer thereof along said record, of a detent normally preventing the operating of said transmitting means, an automatically-operated switchnormally disconnecting said transmitter from the line, means for releasing said detent and operating said switch, talk- 1ng-circuit and ringing-circuit contact-pieces and a movable contact-piece coacting there with and interposed between said switch and said transmitter, meansfor returning the reproducer to its stal'ting po'int, a gear-wheel aving teeth which engage the movable contact-piece to cause it'to make contact with said other contact-pieces alternately, and means operated by a shaft of said driving means for engaging said gear-wheel andadvancing the sameintermitten'tly, and for releasing the reproducer from its feeding means at predeterminedpoints and permitting the return thereof. 1

5. In automatic alarm apparatus, the combination with alarm signal 4 transmitting means for transmitting an alarm through a line-circuit, comprising automatic driving means, of a detent normally preven ting operatlon of sand transmitting means, a switch normally disconnecting said signal-transmitting means-from the line, a rotary armature,

a magnet therefor havin pole-pieces embraclng said armature, said magnet adapted to be controlled by an 'automatieally controiled 10- cal eirouit,-iand 'means operated said an- 6. In automatic alarm apparatusthe eorn s1 mt transmitting means for transnuttl'ngan alarm through a lineeoircuit, comprising f automatic driving my hand in presence by the several thermostats and means operated by said magnet for causing said mechanism to transmit a s gnal through a linecircuit, of a leak-indicator, a circuit therefor, and contact devices for each thermostat, c antrolling said indicator through the circuit thereof, and means for operating each of said contact devices upon decrease in pressure in the corresponding thermostat. l

8. In automatic alarm apparatus, the combination with alarm signal transmitting means comprising automatic driving means, and ringing and signaling circuits, of a ringing-contact, a signaling-contact, a common,

movable contact member'adapted to con-ct with both said contacts, means operated by sai d signaling mechanism for causing sa1dcontact member to contact with said contacts alternately during the operation of the a pameans for bringing the mec anratus, an ismto rest with said contact member out of contact with both said contacts.

9. In automatic alarm apparatus, the combination with alarm signal transmitting means comprising automatic driving means, and ringing and signaling circuits, of a ringing-contact, a signaling-contact, a movable contact member adapted to play between said contacts, a toothed wheel rotated by said mechanism in its operation and arranged to engage said contact member and cause the same to make contact with the ringing-contact and signaling-contact alternately, and a thereof and arranged to bring said apparatus to rest with said movable contact out of con: tact with both said contacts.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set of two subscribing Witnesses. v

' iiAMEs PERCIVAL ROBERTSON. .Wil nesses:

W. J. Srnirsna,

N. J. Davis.

roo

lstop engaging a movable member of the apno paratus at the conclusion of the operation 

